Jaguars add Tashaun Gipson to brace themselves for extended Andrew Wingard absence

One plotline surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of the 2024 NFL season is safety Andrew Wingard's availability for the opener after suffering a knee injury in training camp. Head coach Doug Pederson just provided an update ahead of the team's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 of the preseason.

Pederson met with the local media ahead of the Week 2 matchup and said that Wingard will probably miss as much time as recent acquisition Tashaun Gipson. For context, the veteran safety will serve a six-game suspension to start the season.

"When you think about Dewe's situation, Tashaun's situation, they're very similar because they'll probably miss about the same time," Pederson said." And I'm saying that to say Tashaun making the 53, and things of that nature at the end of camp."

Pederson continued, "But for us, he's a veteran player that we're familiar with, who gives us another gives us more depth, gives us an opportunity at safety right now kind of fills that spot. We have some young safeties that are playing well. Savage is not cleared for contact yet. It gives you another veteran body, some competition, and looking forward to getting him out there."

Not long after Wingard got hurt, Pederson said that he was going to miss significant time. As he noted, they didn't want to corner themselves, so he might not have provided a specific update until the training staff saw how severe the injury was. Fast forward, and the Jags have a clearer picture. Later in his media availability session, the head coach said that Dewey would the first few weeks of the regular season.

"I don't want to put him in a box or label him, but that's definitely some time, at least the first few games, possibly," Pederson said.

Following Wingard's injury, the team's brass signed Adrian Amos. More recently, they locked up Gipson, who was part of the stout defense that helped Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship in 2017.

Wingard was slated to be the primary backup at safety behind Antonio Johnson and Andre Cisco. Daniel Thomas signed a two-year deal to return in the offseason but it looks like he'll mostly contribute on special teams, like he did the past two years.

Amos and Gipson will provide depth and insurance at the position. They'll be competing with undrafted rookie Josh Proctor and sophomore Erick Hallett II for a roster spot. Pederson's remarks about Wingard's status start at the 3:42-second mark.

Signing Tashaun Gipson shows the Jaguars don't want to be caught off guard

Injuries attrited the roster late in the 2023 season. It was a big reason the Jacksonville Jaguars began 8-3 but mustered just one win to end the year. Based on the moves the front office has made in light of the injury to Andrew Wingard, it looks like they don't want a repeat.

Keep in mind that Wingard isn't the starter but rather the No. 3 safety, so it's telling that the Jags are taking steps to ensure they have adequate depth at all positions. It's also worth noting that Tashaun Gipson won't be available until he's done serving his suspension.

The fact that the Jaguars could also move Darnell Savage to safety but will keep him in the slot is telling. A first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2019, the former Maryland Terrapin has mostly played safety throughout his career but Jacksonville wants him to man the slot. By looking for outside help at safety, the team's brass may be indicating that they want to keep him at nickel.

Right now, the Jaguars have a few weeks to sort out the roster. By adding Adrian Amos and Tashaun Gipson, they're giving themselves options to maneuver Andrew Wingard's absence in the best possible way.

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